And Kennan knew in his bones this den of thieves was inhabited by Jackson Vane. It took every ounce of control he possessed not to sail straight through the narrows with cannons blazing. The only thing that kept him away was knowing the snake expected him to do so. Vane hadn’t stayed alive all this time not to post big guns at opposing sides of the inlet that were powerful enough to sink intruders. And shallows on the north side prevented any ship from mounting a northerly attack. Aye, the blackguard had found himself a sea fortress, and the only possible way for Kennan to save Divana was to hold on to his wits and outsmart the devil.

He tried not to dwell on what the bastard might be doing with the bonny lass. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face. Why had they taken her and not him? The lass had never done anything to hurt a soul, yet most of her life had been fraught with misery. She’d been raised so poor, her family couldn’t afford shoes. When she fell ill and needed mercy, her clan had sent her to Hyskeir to die. But no one could bring Divana Campbell to her end. She was a fighter from the top of her luxurious red locks to those tough feet that hated shoes. She deserved to be put on a pedestal and worshipped. She deserved to be queen of the high seas and have all those bloodthirsty bastards kiss her bare toes.

God, he missed those toes. Her smile, her teasing, her presence in his chamber. Kennan hadn’t allowed himself to consider what life might be like without her. However, now the thought terrified him to his core. She’d become a part of him—a far better part. He loved her more than the sea, his ship, and his every worldly possession. Bugger clan alliances and Lochiel’s expectations. If he must search the rest of his life, he would find Divana and make her his wife and then face his father’s ire.

God save him, Divana meant more to Kennan than the very clan he was born and bred to lead.

Before he climbed down the Lady Heather’s portside rigging to the waiting skiffs, he grasped Lachie Mor’s shoulder. “MacNeil and his crew ought to be moving into place on the western isle.” They’d seen no sign of habitation on the smaller side, so Kennan had sent a party of men to take the cannons there. “I’m allowing myself three hours to reach the cannons on the eastern side. Once I give the signal, sail through. If you’re fired upon, fire back, but I’m guessing the battle will be ashore—that’s where I expect our gunners to set their sites.”

The quartermaster gave a wink. “We’ll blast them off the island.”

“I need your sword as much as your cannons. When you do fire, make sure it is not aimed at any of my crew, including Divana Campbell.”